For some reason today I was thinking back over the last few months, and it occurred to me that there are some streets close by I have not walked for some time that early in lockdown I seemed to walk daily. It’s one of those things that tell me this period has had a trajectory, and although probably in years to come in many history books lockdown will be described as a homogenous period, it has had its twists and turns just as any period of time has. Twists and turns for individuals and for all of us. So I decided to walk a route that was part of my routine in that early part of lockdown, a route that took in shops and streets on the way to where I was delivering groceries. I didn’t include Sainsbury’s at the Elephant, but it’s weeks since I have been there either.
Much seemed the same, but on one street I was struck by the pile of brown leaves that had blown up into a pile in a corner. We started this lockdown in spring and the trees were coming into leaf. Now we are at the end of July, summer is past its peak and already some leaves are turning. I feel as though time has slipped by me, that I have stood still and it has flowed around and beyond me. It is a feeling echoed by my neighbours opposite. They are both working from home. In a one bedroom flat that is quite tough. One of them has described it more as living at work.
They went on holiday in February and returned as we went into lockdown but spent much of it down in Sussex with parents. Sam’s been told his office won’t reopen until January, and he was saying today that the next time he sees his work colleagues it will be almost a year, winter again, with darkness beyond the windows by mid afternoon. It will be like they have lost a year. It’s a bit like one of those fairy stories where you prick your finger and fall under a spell, left in a state of suspended animation, until someone comes along who can free you, usually through love, so maybe the exhortation to be kind will be our salvation, if only we heed it.
More cheerfully I popped into M&S this morning and was hailed enthusiastically by staff who had been at the party on Sunday. They were all positive about it, all had loved it. One young man said it was the best day of the year so far. I asked when it had ended, and he said around eight, with most of the drink drunk. They all thanked me, which was nice but inaccurate and undeserved. It was Jane, Jenny and Davena who had the idea and organised everything. I am so glad they did. I left M&S with a big smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart.
Stay safe. Keep well. Be kind.
Isobel (and Cat)'s Blog 
Yes, it seems odd that it’s midsummer when so many usual spring and summer happenings didn’t take place – a real sense of dislocation.
Great that the M&S staff so appreciative of the gathering on Sunday. I was so impressed by how much planning and work Jenny and the others put into it to show each one of them how much their personal and joint efforts over the past four months have been appreciated.
Next years Sausage Sizzle could be quite busy! I think they’d all like to join other events we have.
We were reflecting on the passing of the seasons in lockdown last weekend. Sitting in the same spot as 5 months ago. The temperature a bit warmer, the skies grey and cloudy, the children getting better at their biking and scooting and roller skating. We await the birds coming south for the winter – that may be the only indication that another season has passed.
Sometimes I feel we are living and witnessing the dawn of a new era. Something like the first stages of the Age of Coronavirus. Our lifes, our human lifes, are mostly entirely influenced by IT.
Other living beings and creatures just seem to live on as usual, unaffected.
I read that first that we are entirely influenced by information technology, which is also true!